Glossary

When air accidentally enters the veins or arteries, it can create an air embolism.

Amputation

The removal of all or part of a limb or digit of the body.

The surgeon had to amputate the patient's leg due to the severity of his injury.

Anemia

A condition where a person does not have enough healthy red blood cells to deliver oxygen throughout the body.

People who do not get enough iron in their diets may have anemia, causing them to feel tired or weak.

Anesthetic

an•es•thet•ic | “an-uh-sthe-tick”

An agent that temporarily depresses neuronal function, effectively numbing the area and producing a loss of sensation.

Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, gives patients an exhilarating feeling while serving as an anesthetic to help reduce pain.

Antibiotics

an•ti•bi•ot•ics | “an-ty-by-ot-icks”

A substance produced or derived from certain fungi, bacteria, or other organisms that can destroy infections and disease.

Doctors prescribed antibiotics to treat his ear infection.

Artery

ar•ter•y | “ar-teh-ree”

A part of the circulatory system made up of branching vessels moving blood from various parts of the body from the heart.

One of the main arteries can be found in the neck.

Arthritis

ar•thri•tis |“ar-thry-tiss”

Acute or chronic inflammation of a joint characterized by stiffness and pain.

Staying active can help ward off a variety of health concerns that happen as you get older like obesity and arthritis.

Back Check Valve

A device that allows flow in one direction and automatically prevents reverse flow if the fluid in the line reverses direction.

Back check valves can offer greater safety during IV therapy by preventing fluid exchange or backflow.

Bacteria

Microorganisms that can exist independently or as parasites that may cause diseases.

When we overuse antibiotics, disease-causing bacteria can grow resistant to them.

Blanching

The occurrence of skin becoming white or pale due to lack of blood flow in the area.

Blanching of the skin typically means there's an obstruction preventing blood from moving to that part of the body.

Blister

Swelling of the skin that contains fluid and is typically caused by burning, infection or irritation.IV extravasations can result in blisters on the skin.

Blood

The fluid made up of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets that circulates in the vascular system, and transports oxygen and nutrients to the body and waste materials away from the tissue.

The patient lost a lot of blood after severely cutting her arm.

Blood Pressure

The pressure of a person’s blood against the inner walls of the blood vessels that changes during different phases of the heart’s contraction or under varying conditions of health.

High blood pressure, if left untreated, can cause heart disease or stroke.

Blood sugar (high)

The result of not having enough insulin in the body.

Patients with high blood sugar may experience blurred vision, weight loss and the need to constantly use the restroom.

Blood sugar (low)

The result of having an abnormally low level of glucose in the body.

Patients with high blood sugar may experience blurred vision, weight loss and the need to constantly use the restroom.

Blood transfusion

An injection of blood from one person or animal into the bloodstream of another.

The blood bank is asking for donations because numerous people require blood transfusions after a major car accident.

Blood type

The specific category of blood each individual has, consisting of four major types; O, A, B, and AB. These types are based on the presence or absence of specific antigens in red blood cells.

Once doctors locate a heart donor, it is matched with candidates based on their blood type, body size(...)

Bloodstream

The blood flowing through the circulatory system in the living body.

IV medication goes straight into the patient’s bloodstream.

Brachial Vein

A vein located in the upper arm between the shoulder and elbow that returns blood to the heart and lungs.

The brachial vein connects to many small vessels that drain the muscles of blood from the upper arms.

Brain

The most complex organ in the body that serves as the control center of the central nervous system.

The brain is made up of a complex network of billions of nerve cells called neurons, as well as other kinds of cells.

Butterfly wings

A medical device consisting of a short needle with two flexible wings to hold the IV infusion equipment in place.

The use of butterfly wings allows patients more freedom of movement.

Cancer

A disease composed of abnormal cells that can grow rapidly and invade surrounding tissue.

Smoking can lead to a variety of ailments including lung cancer.

Cannula

cann•u•la | “can-yah-luh”

A thin plastic tube used for insertion into the body to draw off fluid or to introduce medication.

The cannula goes into the vein to deliver medication.

Carotid Artery

ca•ro•tid artery| “cuh-rah-tid artery”

The arteries that supply the head and neck with oxygenated blood on both sides of the body.

The nurse felt for the patient's carotid artery to measure his pulse.

Catheter

cath•e•ter | “kath-ih-terr”

A thin tube inserted into the body for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

The fluids flow from the container, through the catheter and into the patient.

Caustic Medications

Medications that can damage living tissue and have a burning effect.

Vesicant drugs are caustic medications that can result in IV extravasations.

Cellulitis

The inflammation of cellular tissue.

Skin affected by cellulitis typically appears swollen, red and might be warm to the touch and tender.

Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection

An infection that occurs when bacteria or viruses enter the bloodstream through the central line.

The patient suffering from CLABSI has a fever and soreness around the central line.

Central Nervous System

The group of nerve tissues that control the body’s activities.

The brain and spinal cord comprise the primary parts of the central nervous system.

Central Venous Catheter

cen•tral ve•nous cath•e•ter | “sen-trull vee-nuss kath-ih-ter”

A catheter placed into a vein in the neck, chest or groin for an extended period of time.

The dialysis patient required the use of a central venous catheter.

Chemical Phlebitis

Irritation and inflammation that occurs in the vein and around or near the IV site as a direct result of the drug being administered.

Nurses must be vigilant about monitoring a patient's reaction to medication(s) to prevent chemical phlebitis from occurring.

Chemotherapy

chem•o•ther•a•py | “kee-mo-ther-uh-pee”

A treatment that uses chemicals with toxic effects upon the illness-producing microorganisms or that selectively target cancerous tissue.

The doctors prescribed chemotherapy to treat the cancerous cells in her lung.

Circulation

The flow of fluid, particularly blood, through tissue or the bloodstream that allows for the transport and exchange of blood gases, nutrients and waste products.

The nurse used a tourniquet to stop circulation to the patient’s leg and prevent more bleeding.

Circulatory System

The system of organs and tissues including the heart, blood and blood vessels that work to circulate blood through the body.

An infection that occurs when bacteria or viruses enter the bloodstream through the central line.

The patient suffering from CLABSI has a fever and soreness around the central line.

Clotting

The interaction of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets that causes a chemical reaction and forms a soft, insoluble mass.

Blood clotting is an important process that prevents excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is injured.

Connective Tissue

Fibrous tissue that supports, protects, binds, or separates other tissues or organs inside the body.

Fatty tissue, cartilage, bone, blood, and lymph are all considered connective tissue.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

deep vein “throm-boh-sis”

The formation of a blood clot inside a deep vein, normally found in the leg.

Injuring a vein can prevent blood from circulating and clotting correctly, which can lead to a case of Deep Vein Thrombosis.

Dehydration

de•hy•dra•tion | “dee-hi-dray-shun”

An abnormal loss of water from the body, especially from illness or physical exertion.

Heat and humidity combined with physical exertion are a major trigger of dehydration.

Diabetes

A metabolic condition characterized by inadequate production or utilization of insulin, resulting in excessive amounts of glucose in the blood or urine.

Doctors link the intake of too much refined sugar to everything from heart disease to diabetes.

Dialysis

A medical procedure that removes metabolic waste products or toxic substances from the blood when a person's kidneys are unable to.

Kidney disease was once a major cause of death, but is now very treatable due to dialysis.

Dislodgement

dis•lodge•ment | “dis-loj-ment”

To unintentionally remove an IV from a previously fixed position.

His arm got caught on the catheter resulting in the dislodgement of the line from the patient.

Drip Chamber

A device that allows air to rise out from a fluid so that it does not pass downstream.

Using a drip chamber helps to prevent air embolisms and allows healthcare providers to estimate the rate at which fluid enters a patient.

DVT

deep vein “throm-boh-sis”

The formation of a blood clot inside a deep vein, normally found in the leg.

Injuring a vein can prevent blood from circulating and clotting correctly, which can lead to a case of Deep Vein Thrombosis.

Extravasation

ex•tra•va•sa•tion | “ik-strav-uh-zay-shun”

The accidental infiltration of a vesicant or chemotherapeutic drug into the surrounding IV site.

The extravasation caused pain and infection due to the ill effects of the vesicant.

Fasciotomy

A surgical procedure that treats the loss of circulation by cutting the fascia (the tissue that surrounds a muscle or organ) to relieve tension or pressure.A fasciotomy of the lower leg is most frequently performed to relieve acute compartment syndrome.

Femoral Artery

fem•or•al | “fem-or-ull artery”

A large artery in the thigh that supplies oxygenated blood to the leg.

Wires and catheters can be directed in the arterial system from the femoral artery.

Fluids

Liquid that carries electrolytes, nutrients, medicine or other vital chemicals to and through tissue cells.

The nurse administered fluids through an IV to treat the dehydrated patient.

Flushing

The act of clearing intravenous lines of any medicine or perishable liquids to keep the lines and entry area clean and sterile.

The nurse flushed the IV with saline after the medication was delivered into the patient.

Gauge

A measurement for the length of the thickness of a needle, the outside diameter of a catheter.